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Native alternative(s) for Farfugium japonicum:
Coreopsis latifolia Form
Smallanthus uvedalia Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Heuchera americana A cultivar with purple and silvery leaves
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
x Heucherella Heucherella
Farfugium japonicum has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Farfugium japonicum

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ligularia kaempferi
  • Ligularia tussilaginea
Phonetic Spelling
far-FEW-gee-um juh-PON-ih-kum
Description

Leopard plant is a clumping herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy)f family grown for its large, bold leaves spotted with gold.  Native to Japan and eastern Asia is is found growing along streambanks and in moist meadows.  The species name japonicum refers to its native origins of Japan.

It performs best in shade with leaves burning easily in the sun.  Soils should be rich, and moist, and though this species tolerates drier soils than other members of this genus, it will do best to receive deep waterings in summer months.  

Showy yellow blooms appear in summer, lasting through fall and dying back by winter. The leaves are also showy and sometimes flowers are removed to showcase the leaves.

This species of Ligularia is the best for the warm Piedmont and Coastal Plain, while the tall flowered types only prosper in the mountains.  Use this perennial in small groups or mass plant along borders of woodland or shade gardens, in riparian areas, pools, ponds, or bog gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Slugs and snails are occasional pests.  

More information on Farfugium.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kagami Jishi'
    Aster-like yellow petals w/ochre stamens & anthers
'Kagami Jishi'
Tags:
#showy flowers#yellow flowers#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#interesting leaves#mass planting#stream banks#pond margins#deer resistant#poolside planting#clumping#border front#flowers late summer#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#flowers early fall#flowers mid-fall#heavy shade tolerant#coastal plant#perennial#boggy sites#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Kagami Jishi'
    Aster-like yellow petals w/ochre stamens & anthers
'Kagami Jishi'
Tags:
#showy flowers#yellow flowers#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#interesting leaves#mass planting#stream banks#pond margins#deer resistant#poolside planting#clumping#border front#flowers late summer#small group plantings#wet soils tolerant#flowers early fall#flowers mid-fall#heavy shade tolerant#coastal plant#perennial#boggy sites#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Farfugium
    Species:
    japonicum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern China to Temp. Eastern Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1"-2" yellow daisy like flowers bloom on loose corymbs late summer to fall
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large (12" long) glossy, leathery, with golden spots. Basal clumps of kidney shaped spotted leaves with long petioles die back at temps below 20 degrees F.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Pond
    Pool/Hardscape
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil